Ministry of Unification: "North Korea is escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula... All responsibility lies with North Korea"

"North Korea's Intent to Pressure Suspension of South Korea-US Military Exercises"

Ministry of Unification Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] The Ministry of Unification issued a statement regarding North Korea's series of provocations, including the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), saying, "North Korea is the party escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, and all responsibility lies entirely with the North Korean side."

When asked on the 3rd about North Korea's provocations, such as launching missiles south of the Northern Limit Line (NLL) the previous day, a Ministry of Unification official stated, "Including today's missile launch, the government strongly condemns North Korea for violating UN Security Council resolutions and the September 19 inter-Korean military agreement through these provocations."

In particular, the official strongly criticized, "The provocations carried out during our nation's mourning period are against humanity and humanitarian principles."

The official added, "We will not tolerate any provocations by North Korea that threaten the lives and safety of our people," and said, "We will respond resolutely using all available means."

The Ministry of Unification presumes that North Korea's escalation of provocations is intended to pressure the suspension of South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises and create a favorable situation. Nevertheless, the ministry plans to steadfastly pursue the current administration's North Korea policy, the "Bold Initiative."

A Ministry of Unification official explained, "North Korea strongly opposes the South Korea-U.S. joint exercises and immediately expresses its dissatisfaction by mobilizing all available means such as statements, ballistic missile launches, and artillery fire in the East and West Seas," adding, "We will patiently and consistently pursue the Bold Initiative to encourage North Korea to return to denuclearization negotiations on its own."

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